APC, Opposition Clash Over NLC Secretariat Raid

Opposition parties in Nigeria have condemned the recent raid on the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) national headquarters in Abuja by security agents, which took place on Wednesday evening. The armed men, reportedly from the Department of State Services (DSS), allegedly broke into the Labour House, ransacking the bookshop and seizing several documents.

The NLC’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Benson Upah, stated that the raid was conducted under the pretext of searching for seditious materials linked to the #EndBadGovernance protests. However, the DSS has denied involvement, with its spokesman, Peter Afunanya, stating that the agency did not carry out any operation at the NLC office.

The raid has sparked outrage among opposition parties, with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) describing the action as an attempt to suppress the labour union. Ibrahim Abdullahi, the PDP’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, condemned the use of security forces to intimidate institutions like the NLC, calling it an effort to silence citizens.

Yunusa Tanko, the chief spokesman for the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, also criticized the security agencies’ approach, arguing that the NLC leaders are respected figures who should not be treated as criminals. Ladipo Johnson, the National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), echoed these sentiments, questioning the government’s tolerance for criticism and protest.

Prominent human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), and the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) have also condemned the invasion, likening it to the oppressive actions of military dictatorships. The CLO demanded the return of the confiscated NLC property and an apology from the authorities.

In contrast, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has called for restraint, urging the public not to jump to conclusions. Bala Ibrahim, the party’s National Publicity Director, suggested that the raid might have been part of an investigation and cautioned against making political judgments without all the facts.

The incident has further intensified the political tensions surrounding the government’s actions and the perceived suppression of dissent in the country.